GR86 Exhausts

[GRistopher]

So I've had a bit of a change of heart. I've had the HKS fitted for 6 months or so now, and generally I'm pleased with it. But I do find myself wanting a little more volume at times. It's louder and better than stock, but I sometimes feel that it's not distinct enough to justify the price I paid (despite the incredible build quality). I get the impression that it suffers with the extra muffling we get from having a GPF. I reckon it would be best paired with a header or front pipe to wake it up a little, but I don't really want to go down that route.

I've seen how everyone raves about the Remark, and tbh I was very close to getting one, but had been put off mainly by the risk of obnoxious cold starts. However, someone has just put an almost brand new one up for sale for under £400...so I've taken a punt an decided to give it a go. I figure as I drive the car infrequently, I might be able to justify the noise ("because racecar"). I intend to run it for a bit and see how I get on. If it's a bit much for me, I can sell it on and revert to the HKS.

I really want to order some JDL catted UEL Headers from the states. When I started reading your post I was hoping you were going to say youd gone for something similar.

 

[Swizzle]

I really want to order some JDL catted UEL Headers from the states. When I started reading your post I was hoping you were going to say youd gone for something similar.

I've got my eye on the hks GT catted header, did wonder how this might affect warranty though should the worst happen?

 

[Beans]

I've got my eye on the hks GT catted header, did wonder how this might affect warranty though should the worst happen?

It'd be reversible as its just a bolt on part, but, for such a significant exhaust change you'd really want an ecu tune to get the most out of it (especially the decat ones) , at which point warranty becomes a bit more complicated.

I'll be after some UEL headers/manifold soon, had this on the gt86 and do miss the scoob sound [emoji41]

Sent from my Pixel 8 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[vinny85]

i have the remark.. at first i thought it was a bit bit too loud but actually if you have music playing and the back seats up its perfectly fine. It's really only if the seats are down and no music then it could be a bit too much. In regards to cold start , it is quite loud , but mine's always in a garage so not too bad for me and it only lasts 30 secs or so . Also mine isn't a daily so it only really only gets driven on weekends. Would i be more concerned if i was on the drive and and used every day. Yes, i think the neighbours wouldn't be too happy.

 

[OldManMarkoos]

Hi Guys,

Quick question...
How much did you pay to have your exhaust fitted? (assuming you went to a garage. )

How long did it take?

I have a cobra cat-back system, which consists of resonator, mid pipe, back-box, 2 elbows, 2 tips.

Cheers,
OldMan.

 

[Sonic]

Hi Guys,

Quick question...
How much did you pay to have your exhaust fitted? (assuming you went to a garage. )

How long did it take?

I have a cobra cat-back system, which consists of resonator, mid pipe, back-box, 2 elbows, 2 tips.

Cheers,
OldMan.

Was £75 to get my Cobra Cat-Back fitted. I left the car with the garage having dropped off in the morning. I reckon that the price is about an hour’s labour if you were thinking of waiting…

 

[vinny85]

About £75 aswell. However as it's louder than stock they aren't officially allowed to invoice that they fitted it so just invoiced for "exhaust examination" after 'I fitted it' . Maybe an hr's work.. certainly no more than 2

 

[chopper602]

My exhaust price included fitting (at a Toyota dealer), but it took less than an hour 'cos I was in the workshop for most of it. They disabled the noise generator at the same time.

 

[Bathroom_Security]

So I've had a bit of a change of heart. I've had the HKS fitted for 6 months or so now, and generally I'm pleased with it. But I do find myself wanting a little more volume at times. It's louder and better than stock, but I sometimes feel that it's not distinct enough to justify the price I paid (despite the incredible build quality). I get the impression that it suffers with the extra muffling we get from having a GPF. I reckon it would be best paired with a header or front pipe to wake it up a little, but I don't really want to go down that route.

I've seen how everyone raves about the Remark, and tbh I was very close to getting one, but had been put off mainly by the risk of obnoxious cold starts. However, someone has just put an almost brand new one up for sale for under £400...so I've taken a punt an decided to give it a go. I figure as I drive the car infrequently, I might be able to justify the noise ("because racecar"). I intend to run it for a bit and see how I get on. If it's a bit much for me, I can sell it on and revert to the HKS.

Do you not find the boom at ~3000rpm a bit obnoxious? (on the HKS) I hate it, the rest of the exhaust tone up and down the rev range isnt loud enough, it's absolutely the GPF muting it.

I keep looking at replacing the remainder of the exhaust system with HKS bits so it has 2 sports cats and no GPF but insurance is then invalid.

Still waiting on @Fensport to get their GR86 mapped they were still running it in as of October last year. Apparently the HKS front pipe doesnt have a hole for one of the sensors so have to have a light mapped out.

Would have thought they would have released some information about it by now.

 

[Conscript]

Do you not find the boom at ~3000rpm a bit obnoxious? (on the HKS) I hate it, the rest of the exhaust tone up and down the rev range isnt loud enough, it's absolutely the GPF muting it.

I keep looking at replacing the remainder of the exhaust system with HKS bits so it has 2 sports cats and no GPF but insurance is then invalid.

Still waiting on @Fensport to get their GR86 mapped they were still running it in as of October last year. Apparently the HKS front pipe doesnt have a hole for one of the sensors so have to have a light mapped out.

Would have thought they would have released some information about it by now.

I get a bit of boom on overrun, but it's not too bad or obnoxious. I just assumed it was inevitable with any exhaust that's a bit louder than stock. If the Remark is too much for me, I will go back to it, but as you say, it's a bit quiet through the rev range - I'd like something that's a bit fruitier up at the top end, but I think that might be the same for all catbacks anyway.

 

[ZN8]

Exhausts are a dark art, they delve deep into the depths of fluid dynamics. It's difficult to get the balance right, for end users like us its trial and error, even things like the hardness of the rubber hangers can make a difference (i.e. resonance in the cabin). If you want to ditch the boomyness at 3k, you will need a suitably sized helmholtz resonator somewhere, it will be pretty big as its going to be low frequency.

 

[Stardus.]

So I've had a bit of a change of heart. I've had the HKS fitted for 6 months or so now, and generally I'm pleased with it. But I do find myself wanting a little more volume at times. It's louder and better than stock, but I sometimes feel that it's not distinct enough to justify the price I paid (despite the incredible build quality). I get the impression that it suffers with the extra muffling we get from having a GPF. I reckon it would be best paired with a header or front pipe to wake it up a little, but I don't really want to go down that route.

I've seen how everyone raves about the Remark, and tbh I was very close to getting one, but had been put off mainly by the risk of obnoxious cold starts. However, someone has just put an almost brand new one up for sale for under £400...so I've taken a punt an decided to give it a go. I figure as I drive the car infrequently, I might be able to justify the noise ("because racecar"). I intend to run it for a bit and see how I get on. If it's a bit much for me, I can sell it on and revert to the HKS.

I feel the same sometimes with my Legamax Sport too, almost felt OEM in terms of noise level. When driving the Japanese spec GR86 without GPF, it's certainly louder stock over there

I will be a good boy and stick with it for now, as it's my daily

 

[Conscript]

It's difficult to get the balance right, for end users like us its trial and error,

Indeed, this is my reasoning. I was fairly convinced that the Remark would be a bit much for me, but I can't deny that in videos it sounds good (cold start notwithstanding) and everyone who has one seems to adore it. It's not much effort for me to change so I figure that as one came up a bit cheaper than new, it was worth at least trying.

 

[Delahorney]

Indeed, this is my reasoning. I was fairly convinced that the Remark would be a bit much for me, but I can't deny that in videos it sounds good (cold start notwithstanding) and everyone who has one seems to adore it. It's not much effort for me to change so I figure that as one came up a bit cheaper than new, it was worth at least trying.

The remark is great for the money. A bit annoying in 50mph average speed checks as it sits bang on 2k RPM and drones a bit. Other than that it’s great

 

[OldManMarkoos]

So... Got my Cobra resonated cat-back installed yesterday, and did my usual commute today (35m A-roads).

There is a bit of a rattle/clunking when accelerating and slow. E.g. pulling away, so I'm taking it back to the garage to check tomorrow.

I have noticed significant drone/boom around 3000 rpm, which is annoying as it is 70mph in 6th, or 50 in 5th.

The low down burble I like and anything above 3500rpm is great.

Obviously, this is just my initial impressions. It will likely change a bit.

Edit: I should probably add, the wrong gasket was included, 3" rqd 2.5" and a spring was missing. Cobra will send parts through but that didn't help the guy fitting it. Hanger rods also needed some fettling to get the position right.

 

[Sonic]

There is a bit of a rattle/clunking when accelerating and slow. E.g. pulling away, so I'm taking it back to the garage to check tomorrow.

Maybe one of the clamps has come loose and is ratttling on the pipework?

I have noticed significant drone/boom around 3000 rpm, which is annoying as it is 70mph in 6th, or 50 in 5th.

Very strange! I have the non-resonated version and have no issues with drone across any of the rev ranges in any gear. In fact sometimes I think that the exhaust is still a bit too quiet when it's warmed up - but it's good to know that it will never upset the neighbours. As in my previous comment, if a clamp is loose you may be getting leakage contributing to the noise?
@chopper602 has the same exhaust as you and has never reported any problems ... I'm leaning towards a fitment issue maybe?

Edit: I should probably add, the wrong gasket was included, 3" rqd 2.5" and a spring was missing. Cobra will send parts through but that didn't help the guy fitting it. Hanger rods also needed some fettling to get the position right.

That's a bit of an own goal by Cobra! I mean there's even a check-off list for the despatch department which came included with mine. Using the wrong gaskets certainly won't help with drone. I spoke to their R&D guy (when asking about differences) and the resonated version has been fully tested by Cobra to ensure nil drone on the GR86, so something is certainly amiss. Talk to them if you have an issue, I found them to be super helpful with their own products.

 

[Mick]

Has @ctecperformance released there system yet?

 

[OldManMarkoos]

Maybe one of the clamps has come loose and is ratttling on the pipework?

Very strange! I have the non-resonated version and have no issues with drone across any of the rev ranges in any gear. In fact sometimes I think that the exhaust is still a bit too quiet when it's warmed up - but it's good to know that it will never upset the neighbours. As in my previous comment, if a clamp is loose you may be getting leakage contributing to the noise?
@chopper602 has the same exhaust as you and has never reported any problems ... I'm leaning towards a fitment issue maybe?

That's a bit of an own goal by Cobra! I mean there's even a check-off list for the despatch department which came included with mine. Using the wrong gaskets certainly won't help with drone. I spoke to their R&D guy (when asking about differences) and the resonated version has been fully tested by Cobra to ensure nil drone on the GR86, so something is certainly amiss. Talk to them if you have an issue, I found them to be super helpful with their own products.

Yeah, the loose clamp+leak = rattle+drone theory makes most sense.

Glad to hear yours doesn't drone, that gives me some hope. As you can imagine I'm feeling pretty disappointed with it right now.

 

[Sonic]

Yeah, the loose clamp+leak = rattle+drone theory makes most sense.

Glad to hear yours doesn't drone, that gives me some hope. As you can imagine I'm feeling pretty disappointed with it right now.

I know your pain. Had the same sort of problems with a £1.2K system on my KonaN, bought from 'RPM Performance' in Norwich. Drone so bad that after a few months I ended up throwing the whole thing away at the local tip!
I think you'll be okay with Cobra though, especially as you have a lifetime warranty. Hold Fast Brother

 

[Goatwidcoat]

Yeah, the loose clamp+leak = rattle+drone theory makes most sense.

Glad to hear yours doesn't drone, that gives me some hope. As you can imagine I'm feeling pretty disappointed with it right now.

Interested to hear if once it gets tightened up (assuming that is the problem) that your drone goes away. The GR86 is my wife's car and she wants more noise but without being asbo as it is a daily driver. She cringes whenever I have to start up my car and doesn't want to pay £1k to hate having to turn it on every morning. We are doing the NC500 in her GR86 at the end of May so want something sorted by then but not wanting to die in a buzzy drone hole for 5 hours on the way up there.

I was looking at the HKS exhaust to keep it Japanese but if the Cobra doesn't drone she may well go with this. The axle backs from Remark/MBRP etc will be too much on the cold start I think.